If you just got a new acoustic guitar and would like
to find out how to best take care of your
instrument, what you will find here are a
few nice tips.

You've got to admit it. It's fairly
easy to learn the
acoustic guitar. That's probably one of the many
reasons there's so many guitars bought
each and every year. But remember, it's another thing to actually become a pro at it. And it's not just about
the basics of learning. You also need some
information about the instrument itself and
how to take care of it.

The vast majority of acoustics are created
from wood and are usually hollow. They are sensitive to
changes in climate, such as extreme heat
or extreme cold. It's very simple for parts of the
guitar to warp or otherwise become damaged depending on how you
store it and what it has to deal with on a
daily basis. Remember the old cassette tape and how it
would melt into a useless mess if left on the back
seat of your car on a sunny day.

One of the major needs for most instruments is a good enclosure. It really should be water
resistant and also give protection from heat.
Dark colored cases will absorb the sun's rays more than
lighter colored cases, so remember that
when selecting one for your guitar. There are soft shell cases and hard shell cases. In almost
all situations, I would endorse the hard shell case
unless your budget prohibits it.

Guitar strings are sensitive to environmental changes as well. Note how
quickly guitars go out of tune, especially with a new
set of strings? The neck of your guitar will give and let go
depending on the type of strings you use, and if you decide to
use a particular gauge of string, it's probably the best
thing you can do, as the shock of going from one gauge of
string to another wouldn't be good for your instrument.
Also, never take all the strings off your guitar at once, as
that might cause warping of the neck. Change them one at
a time, as that will keep the tension on the
guitar neck at a constant level.

If you can, it's a good idea to have
at least two guitars, a beater you use around
the house and another that you use for
performances. Your practice guitar doesn't have to be
great, something in the hundred dollar price
range. You should't have to replace the strings
on it as much as the guitar you use for performances.

When cleaning your guitar, never use water
or furniture polish. Just use a soft cloth and wipe the dust. Try
to not wipe so hard that you affect the finish of your guitar. And don't
go crazy. Your guitar should have its own natural
character, and the way to let it do this is letting it get
used and worn in a normal fashion.